'Who needs pizza when you can have...': Anand Mahindra's Indian food choice has netizens calling it 'the best above the rest'

Anand Mahindra is known for sharing thoughtful, funny and proudly Indian moments on social media, and one of his old food-related posts is once again grabbing attention online. Back on December 17, 2023, the Mahindra Group chairman shared a video of a giant stuffed paratha being cooked on an enormous tawa and compared it to pizza in the most relatable way possible.

“Who needs Pizza when you can have Paratha...?” Anand Mahindra wrote on X, and food lovers across the internet instantly agreed. The viral post not only celebrated Indian street food and desi comfort food culture, but also sparked a fresh conversation around why parathas remain one of the most loved foods in India.

The video showed a cook preparing a massive stuffed paratha by placing a large amount of filling inside rolled dough before flattening and cooking it on a huge circular pan. Once cooked, the crispy paratha was sliced just like a pizza and served with chutney, curd and pickle.


The post quickly went viral and even caught the attention of Abhishek Bachchan, who reacted with a simple but fitting response: “Truth!”

Why Anand Mahindra’s paratha post resonated with Indians

The reason Anand Mahindra’s post connected so strongly with people is simple, paratha is more than just food in India. For many, it represents home, comfort and nostalgia. Whether it is an aloo paratha made by grandparents, a late-night roadside paratha with chai, or a packed tiffin meal for school and office, parathas are deeply tied to everyday life.

At a time when international fast food dominates social media conversations, Mahindra’s comparison between pizza and paratha felt refreshingly desi. Many users praised him for highlighting Indian food culture and celebrating local flavours instead of imported trends.

Searches around “Anand Mahindra paratha post”, “Who needs pizza when you can have paratha”, “viral paratha video”, and “Indian comfort food” continue to trend online.

What exactly is a paratha?

Paratha is a flaky and layered Indian flatbread usually made from whole wheat flour and cooked using ghee or oil. The name itself comes from combining the words “parat” and “atta”, referring to layered cooked dough.

Parathas are widely eaten across India and come in many shapes and styles, including round, triangular and square forms. They can be plain or stuffed with ingredients such as potatoes, paneer, cauliflower, radish, mint, onions or spices.

Parathas are commonly served with yoghurt, pickle, chutney, curries or even lassi in Punjab. Over the years, regional versions such as Kerala’s parotta have also become hugely popular.

Why parathas are considered the ultimate comfort food

One of the biggest reasons parathas remain so addictive is familiarity. Unlike many trendy foods, parathas feel comforting because they are linked to home-cooked meals and childhood memories. Warm, buttery and filling, they offer the kind of satisfaction that many processed fast foods cannot replicate.

Another reason behind the popularity of parathas is variety. There is practically a paratha for everyone. From spicy paneer paratha to simple ajwain paratha, the combinations are endless. Some people prefer crispy plain parathas with tea, while others enjoy stuffed versions with curd and pickle.

Parathas also work for almost every meal. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even evening snacks. This flexibility makes them one of the most practical foods in Indian kitchens.

Their convenience is another major factor. Unlike foods that require complicated preparation, parathas are relatively simple to make. Flour, salt, spices and oil are often enough to create a satisfying meal within minutes.

Why parathas continue to beat trendy fast food for many Indians

Although pizza remains hugely popular in India, many food lovers still believe parathas offer something more personal and comforting. They are affordable, customisable, filling and deeply rooted in Indian food traditions.

Parathas are also easy to pack and travel with. Whether wrapped in foil for school lunchboxes or carried during long train journeys, they remain one of the most practical homemade foods in the country.

Interestingly, modern food trends have even combined the two favourites. Dishes like “paratha pizza” are becoming increasingly popular among children and younger food lovers, where parathas are topped with cheese, vegetables and pizza sauce.

Still, for many Indians, nothing beats the simple joy of a hot paratha served with pickle, curd and masala chai.

And perhaps that is exactly why Anand Mahindra’s now-viral question still feels so relatable: who really needs pizza when you already have paratha?

Inputs from agencies